Joffrey Ballet To Livestream THE NUTCRACKER, 9/8

The Joffrey Ballet will offer the public a rare glimpse into the rehearsal studio when it streams a live, first look of the highly anticipated world premiere production of The Nutcracker by Christopher Wheeldon, winner of the 2015 Tony Award® for Best Choreography for the Broadway hit, An American in Paris. Seeing the master at work and watching the impeccably trained dancers of The Joffrey Ballet is a one-day-only opportunity,Thursday, September 8, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm (CT) and is accessible via the Joffrey's online YouTube channel.

Following the immensely popular live stream rehearsal of his Swan Lake with The Joffrey Ballet in 2014, Wheeldon will once again open the Joffrey's studio doors for a behind-the-scenes look as he coaches the dancers on his new production at Joffrey Tower. Joffrey's Artistic Director, Ashley Wheater, will introduce and conduct a brief interview with Wheeldon during rehearsal break. The live stream will be produced by Big Foot Media.

Christopher Wheeldon reimagines the beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker, for a new generation, replacing the traditional 19th century setting with Chicago's 1893 World's Fair as seen through a child's eyes. This turn-of-the-centuryNutcracker will also come to life through an award-winning team comprised of creatives in the tops of their fields including:Tony Award®-nominated set and costume designer Julian Crouch (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shockheaded Peter),author and illustrator Brian Selznick (Caldecott Medal Award-winning author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, adapted into the Academy Award-winning film Hugo, directed by Martin Scorsese), Obie and Drama Desk award-winning puppeteer and MacArthur Fellowship recipient Basil Twist (The Addams Family, The Pee-Wee Herman Show), six-time Tony Award®-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz (An American in Paris, Once, Frozen), and Tony Award®-winningprojection designer Ben Pearcy (An American in Paris, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Big Fish).

The Nutcracker will be presented at the Joffrey's home venue, the historic Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, in downtown Chicago at 50 East Congress Parkway, in 27 performances, December 10-30, 2016. Single tickets, priced at $35-$170, are available for purchase at The Joffrey Ballet's official Box Office located in the lobby of Joffrey Tower, 10 E. Randolph Street, as well as the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University Box Office, on Joffrey.org, or by telephone at(312) 386-8905.

About The Joffrey Ballet

Classically trained to the highest standards, The Joffrey Ballet expresses a unique, inclusive perspective on dance, proudly reflecting the diversity of America with its company, audiences, and repertoire which includes major story ballets, reconstructions of masterpieces, and contemporary works.

The Company's commitment to accessibility is met through an extensive touring schedule, an innovative and highly effective education program including the much-lauded Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, Community Engagement programs, and collaborations with myriad other visual and performing arts organizations.

Founded by visionary teacher Robert Joffrey in 1956, guided by celebrated choreographer Gerald Arpino from 1988 until 2007, The Joffrey Ballet continues to thrive under internationally renowned Artistic Director Ashley Wheater and Executive Director Greg Cameron. To learn more, visit Joffrey.org.

The Joffrey Ballet is grateful to Nutcracker Producing Sponsors Margot and Josef Lakonishok and Hancher Auditorium at the University of Iowa, as well as Nutcracker Sponsors Mary Jo and Doug Basler, Rosemarie and Dean Buntrock, ConAgra Foods, Sandy and Roger Deromedi, Pamella Roland DeVos and Daniel DeVos, Sonia Florian, Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company, The Walter E. Heller Foundation, the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, and the Bill and Orli Staley Foundation.

This project is partially supported by an IncentOvate grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Additional generous support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Joyce and Bruce Chelberg, Coco B. Meers and Ethan Meers, Make It Better Media, Polk Bros. Foundation, Meta S. and Ronald Berger Family Foundation with Rebecca and Jonathan Berger, Suzanne and Albert M. Friedman, Martha and Rich Melman, Ann and Tom Nash, and Prince Charitable Trusts.

To learn more about choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, visit here, and for more information on The Joffrey Ballet and its programs, please visit joffrey.org.

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